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Life's Too Short... so make the most of it! Try something new, eat something healthy, grow something beautiful, hug someone you love, move around a lot, and be kind to yourself. Melanie Cole, MS brings you the best tips from lifestyle and fitness experts to the best and brightest medical professionals.

Curb Expectations & Don't Create a Spoiled Brat

From the Show: Life's Too Short
Summary: Nip those expectations in the bud before your child becomes spoiled.
Air Date: 11/7/17
Duration: 18:10
Host: Melanie Cole, MS
Guest Bio: Michael Wetter, PsyD
Dr. Michael WetterDr. Michael Wetter is a Diplomate and Fellow of the American Psychotherapy Association, and has served as an Oral Examination Commissioner and Subject Matter Expert for the California State Licensing Board of Psychology. 

He is an active member of the American Psychological Association, American Academy of Psychologists, the National Alliance of Psychology Providers, and the California Psychological Association. Dr. Wetter is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Psychology, published author, and an invited speaker and guest lecturer, training other psychologists and mental health professionals.

​​Dr. Wetter has served as an expert consultant on numerous television programs, as well as to publications such as the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Men's Healthy Magazine, Forbes Magazine, Prevention Magazine, and Redbook Magazine.

His research in the field of anxiety has been accepted in the United States Memorial Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., and his theories on the subject of "anxiety transmission" have been published extensively. ​​
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In addition to his private practice, Dr. Wetter is on the clinical staff of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he has served as the Associate Director of Psychology at the Center for Weight Loss, as well as manager for General surgery, Plastic/Reconstructive surgery, and Bariatric surgery. He is a Clinical Instructor of Surgery at Cedars-Sinai, one of the only psychologists to receive such distinction. 

​Dr. Wetter formerly served as the Chief of Adult Psychiatry Service for over nine years at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Hayward, California. He has worked as an adjunct professor on the undergraduate and graduate faculties of the Dominican University of California in San Rafael, Harold Washington College in Chicago, California State University at Hayward, and Las Positas College in the Livermore Valley.
  • Book Title: Earn it! What to Do When Your Kid Needs an Entitlement Intervention
You try to do your best to raise your child to be compassionate, empathetic and appreciative. You also want him to understand that your financial limitations may be different from other parents.

How can you deal with the gimmes and sense of entitlement?

Technology has contributed to an expectation of instant gratification. In real life, the speed of achievement is slower. It takes longer to earn things.

Your child learn know to enjoy life right now while working toward future desires. This will help him enjoy the future more when he gets there, especially if things don't turn out as he anticipates.

Teach him how to fail effectively. The value of failing can lead to eventual success. He has to get up and try again, taking a lesson from the experience.

“But My Friend Doesn’t Have to Do Chores!”

That’s great. Chores may be part of your household. Tasks are a great way for your child to contribute to the family. There is satisfaction in getting things done.

Work out a subjective measure for a financial allowance. Be clear about what tasks are allowance-worthy. Allowance is for frivolous expenses so push for proactivity from your child.

You want to raise a compassionate, resilient child who knows the difference between needs and wants.

Listen as Dr. Michael Wetter joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how you can curb expectations and have your child earn what he wants.

Audio / Radio Segments